Improvement in apparatus for hatching fish-eggs



N. PETERS, PH0TO-L1THDGRM5HER. WASHINGTON, D. C.

I H. WRIGHT. 1 Apparatus for Hatching Fish-Eggs.

Patented Aug. 20,1878.

FIG- I j 1/ B f UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

ISAAC H. WRIGHT, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS FOR HATCHING FlSH-EGGS.'

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 207,333, dated August 20, 1878; application filed June 22, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC H. WRIGHT, of the city of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain Improvements in Fish- Egg-Hatching Boxes, of which the following is a specification; and I do hereby declare that in the same is contained a full, clear, and exact description of my said invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The object of this invention is to make the hatching of fish-eggs practicablein still water or water other than a running stream; and it consists in producing within the hatching-box an artificial current of water by means of a system of self-acting valves arranged within the box, as hereinafter set forth.

In the description of the invention which follows reference is made to the accompanying drawing, forming a part hereof, and in which- Figure l is a partlysectional elevation of the improved hatchin g-box, and Fig. 2 a transverse section of the same on the dotted line as Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts of the invention in both figures.

A is the hatching-box, having the hinged lid a, provided with a wire-gauze top, I), and afixed wire-gauze bottom, 0.

B is a plate hinged to the lower end of the box A, having a series of openings, d, each one of which is fitted with an inwardly-opening valve, e, constructed of any suitable material. The plate B has an outwardly-projecting flange, f, from which a sinker, g, is suspended. The boxAis depended from a float, G, by means of chains or cords, and is supplied with fish-eggs and anchored in the hatching pond or lake. Surface agitation of the water causes the box A to rise and fall, and in this movement a current is produced in the box, as follows: Upon the sinking of the box fresh water is forced through the valve open ings and displaces the water in contact with the eggs, which escapes through the wire gauze top. When the box rises the valves close, and the fresh water introduced to the box in its downward motion, as described, is thereby prevented from escaping. By this means the eggs are continually being supplied with fresh water, which is held by those versed in pisciculture to be necessary in the hatching operation.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and wish to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. A weighted fish-egg-hatchin g box dependent from a float, and having a lower in let-passage and an upper outlet-passage, each protected by wire gauze, and a series of inwardly-openin g valves placed below said inletpassage, whereby, upon the rising and falling of the box, consequent upon surface agitation, a current is produced through the same, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The box A, having the hinged lid a and the wire-gauze top and bottom, respectively represented by b and c, in combination with the hinged plate B, having the openings d and valves 6, substantially as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto sub scribed my name this 15th day of May, in the year of our Lord 1878.

ISAAC H. WRIGHT.

lVitnesses:

W. W. WHARTON, Tnos. Mnnnoon. 

